CHEMICAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION WILLIAM S. STAVROPOULOS

Transcription

1 CHEMICAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION WILLIAM S. STAVROPOULOS Transcript of an Interview Conducted by James G. Traynham at Midland, Michigan on 14 December 2001 (With Subsequent Corrections and Additions)

2 ACKNOWLEDGMENT This oral history is one in a series initiated by the Chemical Heritage Foundation on behalf of the Society of Chemical Industry (American Section). The series documents the personal perspectives of Perkin and the Chemical Industry Award recipients and records the human dimensions of the growth of the chemical sciences and chemical process industries during the twentieth century. This project is made possible through the generosity of Society of Chemical Industry member companies.

3 This interview has been designated as Free Access. One may view, quote from, cite, or reproduce the oral history with the permission of CHF. Please note: Users citing this interview for purposes of publication are obliged under the terms of the Chemical Heritage Foundation Oral History Program to credit CHF using the format below: William S. Stavropoulos, interview by James G. Traynham at Midland, Michigan, 14 December 2001 (Philadelphia: Chemical Heritage Foundation, Oral History Transcript # 0228). Chemical Heritage Foundation Oral History Program 315 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) serves the community of the chemical and molecular sciences, and the wider public, by treasuring the past, educating the present, and inspiring the future. CHF maintains a world-class collection of materials that document the history and heritage of the chemical and molecular sciences, technologies, and industries; encourages research in CHF collections; and carries out a program of outreach and interpretation in order to advance an understanding of the role of the chemical and molecular sciences, technologies, and industries in shaping society.

4 WILLIAM S. STAVROPOULOS 1939 Born in Southampton, New York on 12 May Education 1961 B.S., pharmacy, Fordham University 1966 Ph.D., medicinal chemistry, University of Washington Professional Experience The Dow Chemical Company Research Chemist, Pharmaceutical Research Research Chemist, Diagnostics Products Research Manager, Diagnostics Products Business Manager, Diagnostics Product Business Manager, Polyolefins Division Director of Marketing, Dow U.S.A. Plastics Department Commercial Vice President, Dow Latin America President, Dow Latin America Commercial Vice President, Dow U.S.A. Basics and Hydrocarbons Group Vice President, Dow U.S.A. Plastics and Hydrocarbons President, Dow U.S.A.; Vice President 1991-present Member, Board of Directors, Dow Corning Corporation Executive Vice President President and Chief Operating Officer 1995-present President and Chief Executive Officer Honors 1995 Man of the Year Award, American Hellenic Education Progressive Association 1997 Man of the Year Award, Hellenic American Bankers Association 1998 Ellis Island Medal of Honor 1998 Honorary Doctor of Laws, Northwood University 1999 CEO of the Year Kavaler Award 2000 Man of the Year Award, Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce 2001 Palladium Medal, Société de Chimie Industrielle 2001 Chemical Industry Medal, Society of Chemical Industry

5 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Family History and Early Interest in Science Parent s Immigration from Greece. Life and school in Long Island, NY. Interest in math and science sparked by teacher, Robert Smith. 2 College Education Pharmacy at Fordham. Graduate school at the University of Washington. Studying medicinal chemistry under Al Huitric. Encounter with the Dow Chemical Company recruiter. 5 Career at Dow Chemical Company The move to Dow in Indianapolis. Working with small groups. Named Director of Marketing in plastics, CVP of Dow Latin America and then CVP of Dow USA. Becoming president and CEO of the Dow. 12 The Management Philosophy Realized The importance of change and commitment to research. Major acquisitions and divestments. Accountability and responsibility. The triple bottom-line theory. 18 Conclusion Thoughts on winning the Society of Chemical Industry Award. Reflection on Greece and family as focal points in life. 22 Notes 23 Index

6 NOTES 1. Don Whitehead, The Dow Story: The History of the Dow Chemical Company (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1968). 22

7 INDEX A America, United States of, 1, B Biochemistry, 3 Bioscience Laboratory, 5 Bridgehampton, New York, 2 Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen, 2 C California, University of, 3 Cargill, Inc., 17 Chemical Heritage Foundation [CHF], 22 Clarkson College, 2 Coral Gables, Florida, 10 Cyclohexane, 4 D Diagnostic Products, 5 DiGeorgio, John, 5 Dow Chemical Company, 4-12, Dowlex, 8-9 E Easthampton, Long Island, New York, 1 E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co., 16 Ethylene styrene interpolymers [ESI], 17 Europe, 12, 15 ExxonMobil Corporation, 9 F Fordham University, 2 Freeport, Long Island, New York, 2, 21 G Greece Rehia, 1, 21 Yaraka, 1, 21 H History of Dow, The, 7 23

8 I Indianapolis, Indiana, 4-5, 7, 20 Iron Curtain, 12 Isomers, 4 K Kalalas, Ted, 3 L Latin America, 9-11 M Medicinal chemistry, 7 Michigan, University of, 3 Midland, Michigan, 1, 5, 7, 10, 19 N Non-governmental organizations [NGO], 14 Nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR], 4 North Carolina, University of, 3 O Oreffice, Paul F., 11 Organic chemistry, 3 P Peloponnesus, 1 Pennsylvania, University of, Pharmacology, 4 Pharmacy, 2 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 20 Polyethylene, 7 R Responsible Care Initiative, 14 S Smith, Robert, 2 Society of Chemical Industry Award, 18 Sparta, Tom, 7-8 Stamford, Connecticut, Stereochemistry, 4 Stavropoulos, William S., 22 daughter [Angela D. Laurite], father [Spiros Anthony Stavropoulos], 1 24

9 mother [Angela Tsavalas], 1 son [S. William Stavropoulos], 20 son in-law [Roger Laurite], 21 wife [Linda Stavropoulos], 20 Sullivan, Jerry, 3 T Temple, Joe, 11 U Union Carbide Corporation, 16 W Washington, University of, 3-4 Wisconsin, University of, 3 V Van Nuys, California, 5, 7 25